The 10 Best Hockey Skates of 2025-26

When it comes to hockey equipment, the NHL is where the latest innovations are on display. It’s the stage where the newest and best products are put to the test by the best players in the world. NHL athletes demand exceptional performance from their equipment—and manufacturers deliver. These elite athletes help showcase the hockey gear that filters down to players at every level of the game.

 

At GearGeek.com, we’re obsessed with hockey gear. We track every piece of equipment used in the NHL, down to the brand and model. Curious about which pair of skates your favorite player uses or the latest trends across the league? We’ve got you covered. By watching every game and meticulously analyzing official game photos and team social accounts, we stay up to date on every gear change the moment it happens.

 

In this blog, we explore the 10 best pairs of hockey skates in the game, ranked by their popularity among NHL players. 

Users this month: 211 (27.98% of league)
Users last month: 212 (28.08% of league)
 
Notable users: Auston Matthews, Sebastian Aho, David Pastrnak

The Bauer Vapor FlyLite hockey skates are engineered to elevate speed, agility, and responsiveness for players who demand elite performance. Built with an ultra-lightweight Fusion CURV composite quarter package, these skates store and deliver explosive energy with each stride.

A Fusion Flex outsole and strategically placed flex-notches act like a spring, ensuring rapid transitions, sharp turns, and a powerful first step. Inside, the LockFit Pro liner locks the foot in place for supreme control and comfort from puck drop to final buzzer.

With the Vapor FlyLite, Bauer has crafted a skate that responds instantly to your instincts, giving you the freedom and confidence to attack the ice with total commitment.

Auston Matthews once again shocked the equipment world with a switch back to Bauer skates in October 2025. Those skates were indeed the Vapor FlyLites, and the switch included both an all-black pair, as well as a blue and white pair.

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Users this month: 134 (17.77% of league)
Users last month: 136 (18.01% of league)

 

Notable users: Brock Faber, Nick Suzuki, Jesper Bratt

The Bauer Supreme Shadow hockey skate was designed to redefine power and agility for the modern skater. Built to maximize energy transfer and explosiveness, the Supreme Shadow combines innovative materials and engineering to deliver unmatched performance.

The skate’s lower portion is constructed with more stiff material for increased energy, enhancing acceleration and push-off power. Compared to the Supreme Mach, the Shadow boasts a 40% stiffer outsole, amplifying every stride for quicker reactions and greater explosiveness. Meanwhile, the upper portion is made from a more flexible and responsive material, optimizing range of motion for deceptive agility and game-breaking movement.

Comfort and stability are prioritized with the skate’s dual-layer design. The upper layer features a soft, plush material for a snug, comfortable fit that conforms to the foot, while the lower portion incorporates grip material to secure the foot in place and prevent unnecessary movement during strides. This innovative design ensures players stay locked in and comfortable throughout the game, enhancing both control and performance.

Charlie McAvoy was the first player seen wearing the Supreme Shadow skates in September 2023.

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Users this month: 107 (14.19% of league)
Users last month: 108 (14.3% of league)

Notable users: Mikko Rantanen, Roman Josi, Dylan Larkin

The Bauer Vapor HyperLite 2 skate is a pinnacle of performance, designed for elite hockey players seeking unmatched speed and agility. These skates’ first appearance in the NHL came just before the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs began. David Pastrnak was spotted wearing them at a team practice, and then Evgeny Kuznetsov became the first player to wear them in a game.

Built on over a decade of intensive research and development, this skate introduces the game-changing Powerfly Holder, engineered to enhance acceleration, transitions, and overall skating efficiency in every situation of the game.

The Powerfly Holder represents a revolutionary leap in skate technology. Its stiff front post ensures explosive acceleration, while the flexible back post enables rapid pivots and tight turns. The innovative hyperbolic bridge design delivers enhanced balance and power in every stride, ensuring you stay ahead of the competition.
Crafted with Bauer-exclusive materials and cutting-edge construction, the Vapor HyperLite 2 skate provides pro-level support and featherlight comfort, allowing players to push their limits without compromise. The skate’s design emphasizes durability as well, giving players the confidence to dominate at every level.

Whether it’s quick cuts, accelerating off the line, or outmaneuvering opponents, the Vapor HyperLite 2 skate empowers elevation with precision and performance.
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews surprised the equipment world in early December 2024 with his switch to Vapor HyperLite 2 skates. It’s a change that has left many people involved, with more questions instead of answers.

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Users this month: 67 (8.87% of league)
Users last month: 65 (8.61% of league)
 
Notable users: Zach Hyman, Ryan O'Reilly, Brayden Point

The SVH Custom hockey skates by True first appeared with Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs in mid-October 2022.

These skates set the benchmark for advanced performance and personalized fit, making them the ultimate choice for elite players. Engineered using True’s revolutionary Built From the Inside Out (BFIO) manufacturing process, these skates represent the pinnacle of custom skate technology.

The BFIO process begins with a 3D Anatomical Foot Scan, capturing every unique contour of the player’s foot to create a truly bespoke fit. This scan is paired with True’s patented Foot Last technology, ensuring the skate is molded to the exact specifications of the player’s foot for an unmatched connection. The result is a skate that maximizes comfort, minimizes pressure points, and provides superior energy transfer with every stride.

Designed to deliver the highest level of performance, the SVH Custom skates feature cutting-edge materials and construction techniques, offering lightweight durability without compromising strength or support. This personalized approach ensures the skates adapt perfectly to the player’s unique biomechanics, optimizing power, agility, and control in every game situation.

With the True SVH Custom skates, players can expect a game-changing fit and performance that elevates their skating to the highest level. These skates are more than equipment, they’re a competitive edge.

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Users this month: 44 (5.83% of league)
Users last month: 44 (5.83% of league)
 
Notable users: Filip Forsberg, Brock Boeser, Nazem Kadri

The CCM JetSpeed FT8 Pro hockey skates bring elite-level performance to players seeking supreme speed, agility, and fit.

Built around a one-piece FORS composite boot, these skates deliver a high stiffness-to-weight ratio and seamless energy transfer from leg to blade. A more aggressive forward pitch puts you in an attack stance for sharper strides and quicker transitions. Inside, ADPT memory foam and the ADPT Comfort Tongue cradle the foot with a ribbed center channel and FlexMotion design, creating a snug, custom feel and reducing lace-bite.

The TotalDri Pro liner wicks moisture and fights odor with antimicrobial treatment, keeping your feet dry and fresh.

Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators began wearing FT8 skates during the 2025-26 season. Ending his long and impressive run of consecutive seasons with Ribcor skates.

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Users this month: 31 (4.11% of league)
Users last month: 30 (3.97% of league)
 
Notable users: Miro Heiskanen, Stefan Noesen, Nikita Kucherov

The CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro hockey skate delivers cutting-edge technology and elite-level performance for players who demand the best. Made for those who play multiple times per week, this top-tier skate offers a perfect blend of speed, comfort, and durability.

At the core of the FT6 Pro is CCM’s One-Piece Boot Speed technology, also featured in the FT4 Pro. Enhanced with a Game Ready Fit, the FT6 Pro offers phenomenal comfort right out of the box, ensuring better energy transfer for a more powerful stride. The boot’s RFM carbon composite material wraps under the sole, eliminating energy loss typically absorbed by glued and nailed outsoles. This construction allows direct energy transfer through the boot, maximizing power in each stride.

A standout innovation is the ADPT Comfort Tongue with Flex Motion, which provides a lightweight, comfortable fit that conforms to the player’s foot while preventing lace-bite.

The skate is equipped with the Speedblade XS Holder, now featuring a dial that’s larger for effortless steel changes, paired with the STEP Blacksteel runner for enhanced edge retention and glide.

Auston Matthews was first seen breaking in the FT6 Pros during a preseason game with the Toronto Maple Leafs in September 2022. From that point on, Matthews has shown off a number of different, customized versions of the FT6 Pro boots.

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Users this month: 30 (3.97% of league)
Users last month: 29 (3.84% of league)

Notable users: Evgeni Malkin, Kevin Fiala, Martin Necas

The Bauer Supreme Mach hockey skate was designed for players who demand high performance and durability. Built for those skating 4-5+ times per week, this skate offers a perfect combination of power and flexibility.

A standout feature of the Supreme Mach skate is the Active Motion Performance (AMP) Flex Technology, which improves the skate's overall flex profile. The AMP Flex Facing introduces a flex zone between the 2nd and 3rd eyelets, enabling greater forward mobility through your stride for an enhanced range of motion. This design, paired with the Reflex Tendon Guard, allows players to generate more power quickly and efficiently, maximizing acceleration and blade transitions with every push.

Additionally, Bauer introduced an improved asymmetrical toe cap with these Supremes. This feature addressed issues with previous designs; the new toe cap reduced skate volume for a low-profile fit, enhancing out-of-the-box comfort while optimizing push-off power during strides.

Combining new technologies with trusted design features, the Supreme Mach skate delivers exceptional flexibility, comfort, and power. These skates have been around since Fall 2021, when Nikita Kucherov and Kirill Kaprizov were first spotted wearing them.

Despite being succeeded by the Supreme Shadow model, the Machs maintained a high level of popularity in the years following their release.

Users this month: 26 (3.44% of league)
Users last month: 27 (3.58% of league)

 

Notable users: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Victor Hedman, JT Miller

The CCM Tacks XF Pro hockey skate sets a new standard for power, durability, and performance. Engineered with advanced One-Piece Boot Speed technology, this skate maximizes energy transfer and explosiveness, making it ideal for elite-level players seeking optimal results.

Crafted with FORS Composite, the XF Pro skate combines premium raw materials and a high-end core, creating an exceptional weight-to-stiffness ratio. This innovative construction results in a lighter skate with a sustained stiffness profile, ensuring durability and peak performance over time. The one-piece boot design enhances energy transfer, allowing players to generate maximum power and efficiency with every stride.

A key upgrade to the Tacks XF Pro is its redesigned tendon guard, crafted from the same premium carbon material as the quarter package. This tendon guard features a higher flex pointand added rigidity, providing better extension and range of motion during strides. The enhanced design also improves protection and reduces weight, further elevating the skate’s performance attributes.

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Users this month: 16 (2.12% of league)
Users last month: 18 (2.38% of league)
 
Notable users: Nico Hischier, Mats Zuccarello, Bowen Byram

CCM built the JetSpeed FT4 Pro skate model with their revolutionary One-Piece Boot Speed technology. This skate enhances energy transfer and provides a closer fit for faster, more efficient strides.

The boot is constructed from lightweight RFM composite material, engineered for superior performance and acceleration. The carbon composite wraps under the boot, eliminating the need for a glued and nailed outsole, ensuring direct energy transfer.

The FT4 Pro features a 7mm Metatomic tongue, first seen on the FT2 skates, which includes molded lace-bite protection and an asymmetrical flex point. This design improves fit, wrap, and comfort, enhancing overall performance.

To further boost comfort, the skate incorporates Memory Foam pads that anatomically wrap around the foot and a TotalDri Pro+ liner that wicks away moisture while reducing abrasions.

The addition of CCM’s Ortholite UltraLite footbed, also found in the AS3 Pro Tacks skates, provides lightweight support and comfort. The FT4 Pro skate is a top-tier option for players who demand speed, fit, and reliability.

Similar to other CCM skates, the FT4 Pro model was first spotted worn by Auston Matthews. He debuted them at the Maple Leafs season opener for the Covid-19 shortened 2021 NHL season.

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Users this month: 16 (2.12% of league)
Users last month: 15 (1.99% of league)
 
Notable users: Morgan Rielly, Artemi Panarin, Leon Draisaitl

The CCM Ribcor 100K Pro hockey skate was expertly designed to elevate agility and performance, making it a great choice for players who rely on sharp turns and quick movements. Featuring CCM’s new One-Piece Boot Flex technology, a first for the Ribcor line, this skate enhances range of motion and optimizes player performance.

The One-Piece Boot Flex was engineered to provide superior forward flexion and lateral stability, offering a closer fit and direct energy transfer for faster, more powerful strides. This innovative construction allows players to dig deeper into their turns and transitions, delivering unparalleled agility and control.

The Flexmotion tongue was included in the Ribcor 100K Pro, adding to its performance-focused design by enhancing forward flex while providing lightweight protection against lace-bite. Paired with the flexible tendon guard, these features enable a full range of motion, allowing players to push their skating to the next level.

The 100K Pro ended up being the final model produced from CCM’s Ribcor line of skates. Despite this, its lineup of NHL superstars and notable names who put their trust in these skates will forever be impressive.

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